Posted by:
Conserving_herps
at Fri Feb 18 11:57:42 2005 [ Email Message ] [ Show All Posts by Conserving_herps ]
Hello Marc,
Thanks for your reply and I'm glad you liked my new topic discussion...lol..
Terrific insights you have posted here. I wanted to initially find out what experienced breeders usually do... but I also make sure that the health of the snakes is not in jeopardy. I think I mentioned in this forum before that I volunteer at the zoo and there is nothing more important to me than to make sure that the health and well being of the snake is taken care of...regardless of how tempting it is to produce as many hatchlings as possible. One of the zookeepers told me that it is actually more important that the females are properly fed first and foremost BEFORE brumation. If the female is thin going into brumation and then is fed more after brumation to do "catch up", that would certainly be not a good idea at all. I think you hit the bullseye there when you said that the key is " to find the perfect balance with each females. " In the long run, it would be more beneficial to the females healthwise.
As for second clutching, even if there is a danger of the females laying slugs because they were not mated with the males, I think the more important thing to consider is the body weight of the female after her first clutch. During the second breeding, it takes a lot of energy and nutrients from a female laying fertile eggs than another female just laying slugs because the former has embryos to nourish from its mother.
Great discussion Marc! And thanks again.
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RAY 
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RE: New subject ! (for the experienced breeders)... - Conserving_herps, Fri Feb 18 11:57:42 2005